Design and performance analysis of inductive and capacitive wireless power transfer systems for UAV applications

This thesis presents a systematic comparison between two basic and most prefered near-field wireless power transfer (WPT) technologies (IPT and CPT). The research is focusing on these technologies' integration into UAV platforms. Both systems were modeled under similar design conditions and analyzed using the same simulation parameters, aiming to fairly assess the advantages and limitations of these systems in their integration with UAV platforms. First, planar circular, planar rectangular, and planar square coil types were designed for the IPT systems, and their performance was examined using these design data and the use of ferrite. A series-series compensation topology was chosen for the IPT system. The four-plate coupling structure used in the CPT system was selected and modeled with an LC-LC compensation topology. These systems were simulated using circuits built with common components in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. This approach allowed the comparison to be based not only on theoretical but also on practical design conditions. According to the simulation results, the IPT system offers efficiency up to 88% under ideal alignment. However, it was observed that misalignment caused significant degradation in system performance. In contrast, the CPT system, with its highest efficiency value of 81%, maintained its performance across various alignment distances, demonstrating a more balanced structure. Furthermore, the CPT system offers remarkable advantages in terms of secondary side weight and total system cost. In conclusion, this thesis presents a comprehensive comparison of IPT and CPT technologies for UAV applications. Inferences are drawn as to which system is more suitable for which scenarios, based on key parameters such as performance, weight, cost, and alignment tolerance. The research provides a comprehensive evaluation to guide decision-makers for academic studies and engineering applications.